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Isaiah 16

BSB·14 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1Sendשִׁלְחוּ־šil·ḥū- — to send, let go, releaseH7971 — Full Word Study → the tribute lambs to the rulerמֹשֵֽׁל־mō·šêl- — To rule, reign, or exercise dominionH4910 — Full Word Study → of the landאֶ֖רֶץ’e·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study →, from Selaמִסֶּ֣לַעmis·se·la‘ — Rock or cliffH5554 — Full Word Study → in the desertמִדְבָּ֑רָהmiḏ·bā·rāh — Desert; wilderness; pasture; speechH4057 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → the mountהַ֖רhar — Mountain, hill, or elevated land massH2022 — Full Word Study → of Daughterבַּת־baṯ- — daughter; female child or descendantH1323 — Full Word Study → Zionצִיּֽוֹן׃ṣî·yō·wn — The Lord's MountainH6726 — Full Word Study →. 2Like fluttering birdsכְעוֹף־ḵə·‘ō·wp̄- — birdH5775 — Full Word Study → pushedמְשֻׁלָּ֑חmə·šul·lāḥ — to send, let go, releaseH7971 — Full Word Study → out of the nestקֵ֣ןqên — A nest; a place of refuge or habitationH7064 — Full Word Study →, so areתִּֽהְיֶ֙ינָה֙tih·ye·nāh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → the daughtersבְּנ֣וֹתbə·nō·wṯ — daughter; female child or descendantH1323 — Full Word Study → of Moabמוֹאָ֔בmō·w·’āḇ — From his fatherH4124 — Full Word Study → at the fordsמַעְבָּרֹ֖תma‘·bā·rōṯ — ford, crossing place, passageH4569 — Full Word Study → of the Arnonלְאַרְנֽוֹן׃lə·’ar·nō·wn — Rushing streamH769 — Full Word Study →: 3Give usהָבִיאוּhå̄·ḇī·ʾū — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → counselעֵצָה֙‘ê·ṣāh — counsel, advice, or purposeH6098 — Full Word Study →; renderעֲשׂ֣וּ‘ă·śū — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → a decisionפְלִילָ֔הp̄ə·lî·lāh — Judicial decision; judgment or verdict rendered by a judgeH6415 — Full Word Study →. Shelter us at noondayצָהֳרָ֑יִםṣā·ho·rā·yim — Noon, midday; window or opening for lightH6672 — Full Word Study → with shadeצִלֵּ֖ךְṣil·lêḵ — shadow; protection; shelterH6738 — Full Word Study → as dark as nightכַלַּ֛יִלḵal·la·yil — Night, darkness, the period of darknessH3915 — Full Word Study →. Hideסַתְּרִי֙sat·tə·rî — To hide, conceal, or keep secretH5641 — Full Word Study → the refugeesנִדָּחִ֔יםnid·dā·ḥîm — to drive away, banish, or thrust outH5080 — Full Word Study →; do notאַל־’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → betrayתְּגַלִּֽי׃tə·ḡal·lî — HeglamH1540 — Full Word Study → the one who fleesנֹדֵ֖דnō·ḏêḏ — to wander, flee, or scatter awayH5074 — Full Word Study →. 4Let my fugitivesנִדָּחַ֔יnid·dā·ḥay — to drive away, banish, or thrust outH5080 — Full Word Study → stayיָג֤וּרוּyā·ḡū·rū — to sojourn, dwell as a stranger, fearH1481 — Full Word Study → with you; beהֱוִי־hĕ·wî- — to exist, to be, to becomeH1933 — Full Word Study → a refugeסֵ֥תֶרsê·ṯer — hiding place, shelter, concealmentH5643 — Full Word Study → for Moabמוֹאָ֛בmō·w·’āḇ — From his fatherH4124 — Full Word Study → fromמִפְּנֵ֣יmip·pə·nê — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → the destroyerשׁוֹדֵ֑דšō·w·ḏêḏ — to destroy, ruin, or devastate violentlyH7703 — Full Word Study →.” Whenכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → the oppressorהַמֵּץ֙ham·mêṣ — One who practices extortion; a violent extortioner or oppressorH4160 — Full Word Study → has goneאָפֵ֤ס’ā·p̄ês — to cease, end, be finished, fail, vanishH656 — Full Word Study →, destructionשֹׁ֔דšōḏ — Violence, destruction, or ruinH7701 — Full Word Study → has ceasedכָּ֣לָהkā·lāh — to finish, complete, or bring to an endH3615 — Full Word Study →, and the oppressorsרֹמֵ֖סrō·mês — to trample, tread down, crush underfootH7429 — Full Word Study → have vanishedתַּ֥מּוּtam·mū — to finish, complete, bring to an endH8552 — Full Word Study → fromמִן־min- — from, out of, by means ofH4480 — Full Word Study → the landהָאָֽרֶץ׃hā·’ā·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study →, 5in loving devotionבַּחֶ֙סֶד֙ba·ḥe·seḏ — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study → a throneכִּסֵּ֔אkis·sê — Throne; seat of authority and rulershipH3678 — Full Word Study → will be establishedוְהוּכַ֤ןwə·hū·ḵan — to establish, prepare, or make firmH3559 — Full Word Study → in the tentבְּאֹ֣הֶלbə·’ō·hel — A tent; portable dwelling placeH168 — Full Word Study → of Davidדָּוִ֑דdā·wiḏ — BelovedH1732 — Full Word Study →. A judgeשֹׁפֵ֛טšō·p̄êṭ — to judge, govern, or execute justiceH8199 — Full Word Study → seekingוְדֹרֵ֥שׁwə·ḏō·rêš — to seek, inquire, search diligentlyH1875 — Full Word Study → justiceמִשְׁפָּ֖טmiš·pāṭ — Justice, judgment, or legal decisionH4941 — Full Word Study → and hasteningוּמְהִ֥רū·mə·hir — Swift, quick, speedy; ready or willingH4106 — Full Word Study → righteousnessצֶֽדֶק׃ṣe·ḏeq — Righteousness, justice, right standingH6664 — Full Word Study → will sitוְיָשַׁ֥בwə·yā·šaḇ — to dwell, inhabit, settle, remainH3427 — Full Word Study → on it in faithfulnessבֶּאֱמֶ֖תbe·’ĕ·meṯ — Truth; faithfulness; reliability; what is established and sureH571 — Full Word Study →. 6We have heardשָׁמַ֥עְנוּšā·ma‘·nū — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study → of Moab’sמוֹאָ֖בmō·w·’āḇ — From his fatherH4124 — Full Word Study → pomposityגְאוֹן־ḡə·’ō·wn- — Pride, arrogance, majesty, or splendorH1347 — Full Word Study →, his exceedingמְאֹ֑דmə·’ōḏ — Much, greatly, very, exceedinglyH3966 — Full Word Study → prideגֵּ֣אgê — proud, arrogant, exalted in spiritH1341 — Full Word Study → and conceit, his overflowingוְעֶבְרָת֖וֹwə·‘eḇ·rā·ṯōw — Fury, rage, intense angerH5678 — Full Word Study → arroganceוּגְאוֹנ֛וֹū·ḡə·’ō·w·nōw — Pride, arrogance, majesty, or splendorH1347 — Full Word Study →. But his boastingבַּדָּֽיו׃סbad·dāw — falsehood, lie, deceptionH907 — Full Word Study → is emptyלֹא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study →. 7Thereforeלָכֵ֗ןlā·ḵên — so, thus, rightly, thereforeH3651 — Full Word Study → let Moabמוֹאָ֛בmō·w·’āḇ — From his fatherH4124 — Full Word Study → wailיְיֵלִ֥ילyə·yê·lîl — to wail, howl, or cry out in lamentationH3213 — Full Word Study →; let them wailיְיֵלִ֑ילyə·yê·lîl — to wail, howl, or cry out in lamentationH3213 — Full Word Study → togetherכֻּלֹּ֣הkul·lōh — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → for Moabלְמוֹאָ֖בlə·mō·w·’āḇ — From his fatherH4124 — Full Word Study →. Moanתֶּהְגּ֖וּteh·gū — to mutter, meditate, speak quietlyH1897 — Full Word Study → for the raisin cakesלַאֲשִׁישֵׁ֧יla·’ă·šî·šê — raisin cake or pressed fruit confectionH809 — Full Word Study → of Kir-haresethחֲרֶ֛שֶׂתḥă·re·śeṯ — Kir-hareseth, a fortified Moabite cityH7025 — Full Word Study →, you who are utterlyאַךְ־’aḵ- — Surely, certainly, only, neverthelessH389 — Full Word Study → strickenנְכָאִֽים׃nə·ḵā·’îm — Afflicted, wounded, struck downH5218 — Full Word Study →. 8Forכִּ֣יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → the fieldsשַׁדְמוֹת֩šaḏ·mō·wṯ — field, arable landH7709 — Full Word Study → of Heshbonחֶשְׁבּ֨וֹןḥeš·bō·wn — Heshbon, a cityH2809 — Full Word Study → have witheredאֻמְלָ֜ל’um·lāl — to languish, weaken, or grow feebleH535 — Full Word Study →, along with the grapevinesגֶּ֣פֶןge·p̄en — grapevine; vine plantH1612 — Full Word Study → of Sibmahשִׂבְמָ֗הśiḇ·māh — A city in MoabH7643 — Full Word Study →. The rulersבַּעֲלֵ֤יba·‘ă·lê — Master, owner, lord, husbandH1167 — Full Word Study → of the nationsגוֹיִם֙ḡō·w·yim — Nation; a people or ethnic groupH1471 — Full Word Study → have trampledהָלְמ֣וּhā·lə·mū — to strike down, smite, or shatter with forceH1986 — Full Word Study → its choicest vinesשְׂרוּקֶּ֔יהָśə·rūq·qe·hā — Vine tendril or branch shootH8291 — Full Word Study →, which had reachedנָגָ֖עוּnā·ḡā·‘ū — to touch, reach, strike, or come into contactH5060 — Full Word Study → asעַד־‘aḏ- — until, till, up to (temporal or spatial limit)H5704 — Full Word Study → far as Jazerיַעְזֵ֥רya‘·zêr — God helpsH3270 — Full Word Study → and spreadתָּ֣עוּtā·‘ū — to stray, wander, or go astrayH8582 — Full Word Study → toward the desertמִדְבָּ֑רmiḏ·bār — Desert; wilderness; pasture; speechH4057 — Full Word Study →. Their shootsשְׁלֻ֣חוֹתֶ֔יהָšə·lu·ḥō·w·ṯe·hā — Branch or shoot of a plantH7976 — Full Word Study → had spread outנִטְּשׁ֖וּniṭ·ṭə·šū — to abandon, forsake, or let goH5203 — Full Word Study → and passed overעָ֥בְרוּ‘ā·ḇə·rū — to cross over; to pass through or beyondH5674 — Full Word Study → the seaיָֽם׃yām — Sea, body of water; also directional (west, south)H3220 — Full Word Study →. 9Soעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → I weepאֶבְכֶּ֞ה’eḇ·keh — to weep, cry, shed tearsH1058 — Full Word Study → with Jazerיַעְזֵר֙ya‘·zêr — God helpsH3270 — Full Word Study → for the vinesגֶּ֣פֶןge·p̄en — grapevine; vine plantH1612 — Full Word Study → of Sibmahשִׂבְמָ֔הśiḇ·māh — A city in MoabH7643 — Full Word Study →; I drenchאֲרַיָּ֙וֶךְ֙’ă·ray·yā·weḵ — To saturate, drench, or fully satisfyH7301 — Full Word Study → Heshbonחֶשְׁבּ֖וֹןḥeš·bō·wn — Heshbon, a cityH2809 — Full Word Study → and Elealehוְאֶלְעָלֵ֑הwə·’el·‘ā·lêh — God is ascendedH500 — Full Word Study → with my tearsדִּמְעָתִ֔יdim·‘ā·ṯî — tears, weepingH1832 — Full Word Study →. Triumphant shoutsהֵידָ֥דhê·ḏāḏ — A loud shout or cry of exultationH1959 — Full Word Study → have fallen silentנָפָֽל׃nā·p̄āl — to fall; collapse; perishH5307 — Full Word Study → overעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → your summer fruitקֵיצֵ֛ךְqê·ṣêḵ — summer; summer fruit; the warm seasonH7019 — Full Word Study → and your harvestקְצִירֵ֖ךְqə·ṣî·rêḵ — Harvest; the reaping of crops or figuratively, a limb or branchH7105 — Full Word Study →. 10Joyשִׂמְחָ֤הśim·ḥāh — Joy, gladness, rejoicingH8057 — Full Word Study → and gladnessוָגִיל֙wā·ḡîl — Joy, gladness, rejoicingH1524 — Full Word Study → are removedוְנֶאֱסַ֨ףwə·ne·’ĕ·sap̄ — to gather, assemble, collectH622 — Full Word Study → fromמִן־min- — from, out of, by means ofH4480 — Full Word Study → the orchardהַכַּרְמֶ֔לhak·kar·mel — fruitful field, fertile plantation, harvest abundanceH3759 — Full Word Study →; no oneלֹֽא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → singsיְרֻנָּ֖ןyə·run·nān — To shout or sing aloud with joy; to cry out triumphantlyH7442 — Full Word Study → or shoutsיְרֹעָ֑עyə·rō·‘ā‘ — to shout, cry out, make a loud noiseH7321 — Full Word Study → in the vineyardsוּבַכְּרָמִ֥יםū·ḇak·kə·rā·mîm — Vineyard; a planted garden of grapevinesH3754 — Full Word Study →. Noלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → one tramplesיִדְרֹ֥ךְyiḏ·rōḵ — to tread, walk, or trample; to guide or leadH1869 — Full Word Study → the grapesיַ֗יִןya·yin — Wine; fermented grape juiceH3196 — Full Word Study → in the winepressesבַּיְקָבִ֛יםbay·qā·ḇîm — Wine vat or wine pressH3342 — Full Word Study →; I have put an endהִשְׁבַּֽתִּי׃hiš·bat·tî — to cease, rest, or desist from laborH7673 — Full Word Study → to the cheeringהֵידָ֥דhê·ḏāḏ — A loud shout or cry of exultationH1959 — Full Word Study →. 11Thereforeעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → my heartמֵעַ֣יmê·‘ay — belly, womb, inner selfH4578 — Full Word Study → lamentsיֶֽהֱמ֑וּye·hĕ·mū — to roar, murmur, or sound with tumultH1993 — Full Word Study → for Moabלְמוֹאָ֔בlə·mō·w·’āḇ — From his fatherH4124 — Full Word Study → like a harpכַּכִּנּ֖וֹרkak·kin·nō·wr — stringed musical instrument; lyreH3658 — Full Word Study →, my inmost beingוְקִרְבִּ֖יwə·qir·bî — midst, inner part, heart, inward beingH7130 — Full Word Study → for Kir-heresחָֽרֶשׂ׃ḥā·reś — Kir-hareseth, a fortified Moabite cityH7025 — Full Word Study →. 12Whenכִֽי־ḵî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → Moabמוֹאָ֖בmō·w·’āḇ — From his fatherH4124 — Full Word Study → appearsנִרְאָ֛הnir·’āh — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study → onעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the high placeהַבָּמָ֑הhab·bā·māh — High place; elevated worship siteH1116 — Full Word Study →, whenכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → he wearies himselfנִלְאָ֥הnil·’āh — to be weary, faint, or loatheH3811 — Full Word Study → and entersוּבָ֧אū·ḇā — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → his sanctuaryמִקְדָּשׁ֛וֹmiq·dā·šōw — Sanctuary, holy place of worshipH4720 — Full Word Study → to prayלְהִתְפַּלֵּ֖לlə·hiṯ·pal·lêl — to pray, intercede, or judgeH6419 — Full Word Study →, it will do him noוְלֹ֥אwə·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → goodיוּכָֽל׃yū·ḵāl — to be able, have power, endureH3201 — Full Word Study →. 13Thisזֶ֣הzeh — this, that; the one, the otherH2088 — Full Word Study → is the messageהַדָּבָ֗רhad·dā·ḇār — word, matter, thing, affairH1697 — Full Word Study → thatאֲשֶׁ֨ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֛הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → spokeדִּבֶּ֧רdib·ber — to speak, say, or declareH1696 — Full Word Study → earlierמֵאָֽז׃mê·’āz — Then; at that time; thereforeH227 — Full Word Study → concerningאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → Moabמוֹאָ֖בmō·w·’āḇ — From his fatherH4124 — Full Word Study →. 14And nowוְעַתָּ֗הwə·‘at·tāh — Now; at the present timeH6258 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָה֮Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → saysדִּבֶּ֣רdib·ber — to speak, say, or declareH1696 — Full Word Study →, “In threeבְּשָׁלֹ֤שׁbə·šā·lōš — The number three; a group of three thingsH7969 — Full Word Study → yearsשָׁנִים֙šā·nîm — Year; period of time or ageH8141 — Full Word Study →, as a hired workerשָׂכִ֔ירśā·ḵîr — hired worker; one employed for wagesH7916 — Full Word Study → counts the yearsכִּשְׁנֵ֣יkiš·nê — Year; period of time or ageH8141 — Full Word Study →, Moab’sמוֹאָ֔בmō·w·’āḇ — From his fatherH4124 — Full Word Study → splendorכְּב֣וֹדkə·ḇō·wḏ — weightiness, honor, splendor, gloryH3519 — Full Word Study → will become an object of contemptוְנִקְלָה֙wə·niq·lāh — To treat with contempt; to despise or dishonorH7034 — Full Word Study →, with allבְּכֹ֖לbə·ḵōl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → her manyהָרָ֑בhā·rāḇ — great, many, abundant, mightyH7227 — Full Word Study → peopleהֶהָמ֣וֹןhe·hā·mō·wn — Crowd, tumult, noise, abundanceH1995 — Full Word Study →. And those who are leftוּשְׁאָ֥רū·šə·’ār — Remnant, remainder, what is leftH7605 — Full Word Study → will be fewמְעַ֛טmə·‘aṭ — A small amount; little; fewH4592 — Full Word Study → and feeble.”
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Chapter Commentary — Isaiah 16
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

Isaiah 16 presents a complex oracle concerning Moab, the ancient nation east of the Dead Sea. The chapter opens with a puzzling call to send a lamb as tribute to Jerusalem (verse 1), which some scholars interpret as a fragment continuing the Moab prophecy from chapter 15. The passage then oscillates between a conditional offer of refuge for Moab's refugees (verses 2-5) and a harsh pronouncement of judgment upon Moab's pride and agricultural devastation (verses 6-14). Throughout, we see the interplay between God's potential mercy and His certain judgment—themes that echo the gospel's call to humility and repentance.

Verses 1-5: A Plea and a Promise

Verse 1 opens enigmatically: "Send ye the lamb to the ruler of the land from Sela to the wilderness, unto the mount of the daughter of Zion." This likely refers to Moab sending tribute (a lamb as token submission) to the ruler in Jerusalem. Sela may indicate Petra or a high fortress; the image suggests Moab's desperation and reaching out for help.

Verses 2-3 describe Moab's daughters fleeing like "a wandering bird cast out of the nest," huddling at the fords of the Arnon River. The oracle then shifts to an urgent plea: "Take counsel, execute judgment; make thy shadow as the night in the midst of the noonday; hide the outcasts." This addresses Jerusalem, calling for shelter and protection for the refugees.

Verses 4-5 contain the remarkable conditional promise: if Moab receives these outcasts and provides refuge, then "in mercy shall the throne be established: and he shall sit upon it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging, and seeking judgment, and hasting righteousness." This Davidic throne vision—fulfilled ultimately in Christ—suggests that acts of mercy and justice align with God's character and His redemptive purposes.

Application: These verses challenge us: are we willing to extend mercy to those displaced and desperate? The promise ties righteousness to compassion, reminding us that true justice includes caring for the vulnerable.

Verses 6-12: The Weight of Pride and Judgment

The tone shifts sharply in verse 6: "We have heard of the pride of Moab; he is very proud: even of his haughtiness, and his pride, and his wrath: but his lies shall not be so." God exposes Moab's arrogance. Despite the mercy offered, Moab's character—rooted in pride—will not escape consequences.

Verses 7-10 describe devastating agricultural collapse. The vineyards of Sibmah, Heshbon, and Elealeh—once fruitful and joyous—will be destroyed. "The shouting for thy summer fruits and for thy harvest is fallen" (verse 9); "gladness is taken away" (verse 10). This is not mere poetic loss; it represents the collapse of Moab's prosperity and security. The prophet himself weeps over this ruin (verse 11), displaying God's sorrow even in judgment.

Verse 12 reveals the final indignity: when Moab comes to pray at the high place sanctuary in desperation, "he shall not prevail." Prayers divorced from genuine repentance and humility fall on deaf ears.

Application: Pride blinds us to both God's mercy and the consequences of our sin. Moab had been offered refuge but refused to bend the knee. We must examine our hearts: are we too proud to accept God's grace?

Verses 13-14: The Word Stands

Verse 13 solemnly declares: "This is the word that the LORD hath spoken concerning Moab since that time." The prophecy is certain; God's word endures.

Verse 14 fixes a timeline—"within three years"—and pronounces Moab's final fate: glory contemned, multitude reduced, remnant very small and feeble. This historical judgment demonstrates that God's word is absolutely reliable, and nations that reject His merciful call and persist in pride will face inevitable decline.

Application for Today

Isaiah 16 teaches that God balances mercy with justice. He offers refuge to the humble but judges the proud. For believers, this is a call to lay down our pride, accept His offered grace, and extend compassion to others. We live in an age of cultural pride and self-sufficiency; yet our greatest strength lies in humility before God and generosity toward others. The stability of Christ's kingdom—the true Davidic throne—rests on righteousness and mercy combined.

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